in touch, mistake 2nd, ridden from 4 out, no impression
held up rear, steady headway 6th, joined leader 2 out, shaken up to lead last, driven clear
led, ridden 4 out, mistake next, soon headed and weakened
tracked leaders, driven along and every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden 5th, soon weakened, eased after last
in touch, headway to lead 2 out, headed approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders until ridden and lost place on bend approaching 5th, soon weakened
in rear, ridden approaching 5th, never dangerous
held up in touch, driven approaching 5th to track leaders, weakening approaching last
behind, well in rear, driven and outpaced approaching 5th, ridden and stayed on to take 3rd approaching last
Now a limited handicap, the Gerry Fielden lacks the quality of previous years but is certainly more competitive. The top two in the handicap, Jonjo O'Neill's Giocomo and Never from the Francois Doumen stable, look plenty high enough in the weights for what they have achieved, while Noel Chance's Flame Creek, a progressive performer last term, is difficult to evaluate after just four career starts and makes his debut in this grade here. Mister McGoldrick duly landed the odds at Wetherby last time but the handicapper has seen fit to raise Sue Smith's gelding by 16lbs for that success and he may now be in his grip. Rob Leach and Brooklyn's Gold, both last time out winners, face a more difficult task of their new marks as well, while Benbyas looks more exposed than most. That cannot be said of the Alan King-trained Jaboune. The son of Johann Quatz failed to win over hurdles last term but showed some respectable form in defeat and duly completed a hat-trick of successes during the summer. Given a break since July, the five-year-old has come back better than ever with an impressive win at Wetherby followed by a fine second to the well regarded Mutakarrim at Cheltenham. Well treated on the evidence of this season's form, he gets the TEAMtalk vote in a competitive finale.
